BULLS gained some sort of revenge for losing out on the 2018 League One crown thanks to a 20-12 victory over York City Knights in their pre-season rematch.
James Ford’s Knights had pipped Bradford to the third-tier title in September, a stunning 30-28 victory at Odsal in July being key to that success.
Seemingly still smarting from that, the Bulls’ marketeers dubbed this Boxing Day encounter the “Grand Final that never happened”.
There was never going to be such intensity or importance, of course, and the result never as significant. But Bulls boss John Kear was pretty content with his much-changed team’s work, the result providing some icing on the Christmas cake as they build up nicely for their return to the Championship.
The Bulls’ strength in depth, for one thing, was clearly evident.
Recent internationals Ethan Ryan, Ross Peltier, Joe Keyes and Gregg McNally, who all had European Championship call-ups, were left on the sidelines, as were Jake Webster and Rhys Evans, the big new signings from Castleford and Leigh respectively. Vice-captain Steve Crossley is also in rehab after surgery.
Oliver Wilson, who shone in England Academy’s historic success against the feted Australian Schoolboys, ironically under Ford – who was England’s assistant-coach for that recent series – was also rested.
In came former Knights flier Dee Foggin-Johnston for his debut. The livewire winger had been York’s top-scorer in 2017 before making a surprise switch to Hunslet and he had an encouraging outing against his former club.
Connor Farrell, the arrival from Featherstone and one of rugby’s famous Farrell clan, and Jon Magrin, back at Bradford from Sheffield Eagles, were other debutants. Farrell worked hard and Magrin ran hard.
Big names such as Jy Hitchcox, Ashley Gibson, playmaker Dane Chisholm and Mikey Wood, who has made his loan from Huddersfield permanent, all started too, although among the highs for Kear were the displays of a number of his academy graduates, stand-off Rowan Milnes certainly among them.
York for their part were without first-choice quintet skipper Tim Spears (calf), Harry Carter (hand), Sam Scott (groin), Ben Cockayne and Graeme Horne. Second-row Mike Kelly was also a late withdrawal. Among their party were ex-Bulls packman Dave Petersen who is on trial with the club.
Given both teams were far from at full-strength, just how much can be read into this result is unclear.
However, Bradford had reason to be cheerful, especially in the 20-0 first-half effort.
They took an eighth-minute lead on the back of the game’s first penalty as Ross Oakes easily brushed off Perry Whiteley and got over.
After a second penalty, it became 10-0 as a neat kick by Milnes was touched down by Farrell, with Chisholm converting.
In between times, York had had a nice move down the right but winger Ash Robson was dragged into touch seven metres out.
The visitors, for whom former Dewsbury prop Jack Teanby stood out in the first half, then had a Will Jubb try rightly ruled out after the ball was dropped at the sticks.
The next time York went close, Chisholm picked off a grubber and raced upfield, caught by winger Judah Mazive around half-way. A penalty soon followed and Wood snuck over to increase the lead from a short flat ball near the posts.
The Knights had a second try ruled out – this one questionably – as Connor Robinson’s scoring pass to impressive prop Ronan Dixon was called forward.
By this point, one-time Bulls squadman Petersen was on the field, being utilised at hooker and then at loose-forward.
Bradford’s fourth try, which made it 20-0 on the half-time hooter, also came on the back of a penalty, Chisholm’s perfect kick seeing winger Hitchcox catch and dive over in one movement.
The Bulls had received a first-half blow, though, when sub Evan Hodgson, not long after coming on, was helped off.
York got on the scoreboard five minutes into the second half.
Threequarter Bass, after a strong run, and half-back Robinson were held up over the whitewash but, on the last tackle, Dixon simply ran over full-back Brandon Pickersgill to score, League One Player of the Year Robinson goaling.
Immediately, a surprise Robinson offload caught the defence napping and Robson, now at full-back, picked up smartly and reached the whitewash. Robinson goaled again.
Kear soon tried to restore order by throwing senior players back on but York stayed on top, Robinson’s kick forcing a dropout.
Nevertheless, the Bulls got a foothold back in the game and perhaps finished slightly the stronger.
Bulls: Pickersgill, Foggin-Johnston, Oakes, Hitchcox, Milnes, Chisholm, Kirk, Hallas, Bustin, Farrell, Storton, Wood. Subs (all used): Magrin, Foster, Lilley, Hodgson, Culling, Doyle, Stephenson, Rickett.
Tries: Oakes 8; Farrell 14; Wood 29; Hitchcox 40.
Goals: Chisholm 14, 29.
Knights: Chilton, Mazive, Salter, Whiteley, Robson, Marsh, Robinson, Dixon, Jubb, Teanby, Jordan-Roberts, Hey, Stock. Subs: Bass, Blagbrough, Brown, Peterson, Porter, Rushworth.
Tries: Dixon 45; Robson 48.
Goals: Robinson 45, 48.
Referee: Liam Moore
Attendance: 2,000 estimate
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